How to Draw T.V. Characters (the Easy Way)

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Do you want to draw cartoon characters that you see on the T.V.? Well, read this.

Steps

1. Find a show that you really appreciate. Whether it be live action or animated, you need to first have the skill to draw. If you're not very artistic (yet) then I suggest starting of with animated shows. Most animated shows have less details than a live action show would require you to have. (Unless of course, you're taking your own spin on the character, but that should be a different article)
   
2. Start looking through other fan art of the character. Don't rip any of this art off, this is just to get a feel of how the character is portrayed by others, and to give you a better insight to how this character can be drawn.
   
3. Grab your gear. There are endless possibilities to the media you can create art with. You can use markers, pens, pencils, a stylus on the computer--anything. Whatever your choice, be sure to know that certain media have disadvantages. (Markers and pens can't be erased, pencils smudge easily, digital art sometimes turns out rough if you're not skilled at using a stylus.)
   
4. Use a reference image if you like. If you plan to do this, have it ready! If you choose not to use a reference image, then begin to plan out how you want this character to look. What kind of pose should he or she be in? What kind of background do you want? So on and so forth.
   
5. Start drawing your base image (i.e. the shape of the head and body). If you're using pencils, you can use primary shapes to help plan out the structure of the body. A circle could form the top of the head, and the triangle could form the jawline. A square could form shoulders, and an upside down triangle could form a man's chest and waist.
   
6. Start adding the details. Often, people find that eyes and noses are difficult, so don't be frustrated if you don't get the eyes perfect on your first try. Keep practicing.
   
7. Check for any missed details or lines that don't fit. Make sure that everything is proportional (the eyes may be too small for the face, or the nose may be too large). Check your reference image or just a picture of that character to make sure you've got everything right.
   
8. Share your art! If you're proud of your artwork, you can definitely post it online at an art website. There are plenty out there for you to explore.
   

Tips

• Don't get frustrated, and throw it away, just keep at it and you'll have it exactly.
  
• Be sure to stay focused on your task. It's hard to finish drawing something if you start drawing something completely different in the middle.
  

Warnings

• Always ALWAYS give credit where credit is due. Never claim a television character as YOURS. You may have put your own spin on the character, but the person who created the character is the owner.
  

Things You'll Need

• Paper (if you're drawing by hand)
  
• Stylus (if you're making this art digital)
  
• A utensil with which to draw (a pen, a pencil, a marker...even a crayon works)
  
• A source image.
  
• A plan for how you want your drawing to look.
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Create a Cartoon Using a Windows Computer
  
• How to Draw Mickey Mouse
  
• How to Draw a Caveman
  
• How to Draw Cub Simba
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Draw T.V. Characters (the Easy Way). All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.